Damage to trees and a hedgerow caused by materials used to build a horse walk in Newmarket has been described as an “environmental disaster”.

Newmarket resident Arthur Roberts, 74, noticed several trees and a section of hedgerow by a recently laid section of horse walk in Snailwell Road in the town were withering and turning brown.

“I presume the trees might die, which could have a big impact because they would have to be taken down,” said Mr Roberts, who lives in Malcolm Way close to the horse walk.

Jockey Club Estates (JCE) laid the walkway around a month ago, which extended an existing one at the southern end of Snailwell Road between Fordham Road and Malcolm Way.

However, JCE was forced to dig up and remove sections of the new path after experts said an aggregate used to lay the path may have changed the alkalinity of the soil, causing the trees and hedgerow to wither.

“I have been out there and spoken to the people who are taking away the aggregate and one of them described it as an environmental disaster,” said Mr Roberts.

Arthur Roberts from Newmarket is concerned that trees and hedges could be dying alongside the horse walkway on Snailwell Road. Picture: Keith Jones

He added: “This could be an environmental disaster caused by the use of material by the Jockey Club, which has altered the PH level of the soil.

“It’s quite a popular walk along there for dog walkers. All the leaves are turning brown and they should not be doing that at this time of year.”

The original stretch of horse walk caused controversy when it was built almost three years ago, with many residents complaining it was built far too wide, causing vehicles to drive onto the horse walk.

The walkway was narrowed in May last year after a horse was killed in a crash with a lorry.

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Cllr Millar said the Jockey Club had obtained permission from Suffolk Highways to build the new walkway.

“The material has been taken away for tests and when we get the results we will figure out what to do next,” he said.

Nick Patton, managing director of Jockey Club Estates, said: “We took immediate steps to remove the surface. We are working with an arboriculturalist and we will be watering the area to try and help recover the trees.

“We have used this material in other locations and it’s never caused a problem. This was highlighted to us at the weekend and we have already had it removed. It’s a bit of a mystery.

“Soil tests are ongoing and the surface supplier is having the material investigated.”